Vegetable-blocking machine



Jan. 3, 1928. 1,654,640 s. DONNER' VEGETABLE BLOCKING MACHINE Filed Jan.l7. 192.5 zsheets-sneet 1 m M M 3 MM mm m m N gwzvwazfi dt v A Jan. 3, 1928.

S. BONNER VEGETABLE BLOCKING MACHINE Filed Jan. 17, 192.5 2 Sheets-Sheet? W m v 3 m M 3 h1\ M M Q W H, m 8

Fill

Patented Jan. 3. 1928.

UNITED STATE'Sk PA N OFFICE? rests STEPHEN BONNER, or HASTING MICHIGAN.

' i Application filed January Ehis invention relates to improvements in vegetable blockingmachines. V i

In the raising of vegetables such as sugar beets, the seeds are sown with drills and it -is necessary to thin the beets in the rows.

This, so far as I am aware, has beendone ()liililfil'ilf. by hand labor. c c Them-am ob ects of this invention are:

First, to provide a machine which rapidly and effectively blocks the beets leaving. the ground in proper condition for cultivation and further care of the crop with a m1ni mum of labor. V

' Second, to provide a v advantages in which the blade or tool is given, a movementv very similar to that im parted to a hoe by hand whereby snbstarn tially the minimum amount of soil is removed and is effectively discharged.

.Lhird, to provide a machine having these justment to meet the various operating conditions, such as variation in soil, soil 'condi tions andthe like. W I p I Ubjects pertaining to details and econo mies of construction and operation of my invention will definitely appear from the-de .tailcd description to foilow. I v

T accomplish. the objects ofmy invention by the devices and means described in the following specification. The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure embodying the features of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this zip plicat-ion in which: I r

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a structure embodying the features of my invention, only such parts of the machine being illustrated as are deemed necessary to properly illustrate my improvements.

Fig. II-Jis a si le elevation thereof. p

III is a transverse section on a line corresponding to line 38 of Fig. I.

Fig. IV is a transverse section on a line corresponding to line l'4 of Fig. I, the path of the edge of the tool in its stroke being indicated. j

Fig. V is a sectional view through the tool I or blade on a line corresponding to line 5 of Fig. IV. I

In the drawing the sectional views are taken lookingin the direction of thelittle arrows at the ends of the section lines and similar numerals of reference indicate simi iar parts in all of the views.

machine having these I VEGETABLE-BLOCKING ivmonr'nn.

17,1925. Serial No. 3,102.

leferring to the drawing, "I provide a main running gear frame designated generally byjthe numeral-1'. and comprising suitasole longitudinal SlllS 2 formed of angle iron and disposedwith their angles facing inwardly and upwardly. The rear axle 3 is PIOVlClQCl)V'Jiill. wheels at and"5, the wheel 5 being a driving wheel and having a driving sleeve 6 thereon provided with beveled gears 70 disposed centrally, oi the frame. The

front wheels 8 areinounted.on-an axle 9 connected to the frame by thekingbolt 10. I provide a sub-frame designated {generally by the numeral 11 and comprising end members 12 and crossmembers 13 and 14.

This frame'is mounted between the 'side rails for vertical movement, the bloclzs lo supportingv the frame against longitudinal m ovement.. Thetop cross piece 16,011 the sub-frame is connectedto the arm 17 ot the adjusting lever18 by means of the link 19.

. AIsegment-ZO. is provided for adjustablysupporting the lever. The lever is carried by cross pieces 46 disposed on'the mainframe 1 at the. rear of the sub frame. I

The sub-frame carries the tool supporting frame or carrier 21, whichjis supported at one endbythe ,crank 22 on themain frame andatitsother end by the oscillating supportingarin 23 which pivotally mounted at 24011 the bracketgo projecting from. the

mainframe so that thercarrier hasa circular at the other. (j V i V The blade tool 26 is adj ustably mounted motion at one, end and an oscillatingmotion on the carrier- 21 below the crank by means the pivot bolt- Qland the bolt engaging thesegmental slot 29 in the bracket fi) depending from the carrier 21. q The crank 22 is a driven crank, the ,driving means in the embodiment illustrated comprising a driving shaft 31oonnected to the driving pinion 32 meshing with the gear 27 by means of the clutchv shown conventionaliy at 33. .The clutch is controlled from the foot lever 34, see Fig. I. The shaft 31 is also provided with a brake shown conventionally at 35and controlled from the foot lever 36.

The driving shaft is connected to the crank through the flexible connection con-' sisting of the shaft section 37, universaljoint 38 and a train of gears designatedgenerally by the numeral 39. This train'otgears, is mounted on the sub frame the,gearAtObf the train having a stub shaft section 41 conlifting return movement which effectivelydischarges the soil and quite an abruptdown stroke which carries the tool into the soil at the beginning of the stroke.

In. practice the machine is driven'along a row 'of beets or other vegetables to be blocked, the blade or tool being of a width corresponding to the space which is desired between the vegetables. The speed of the tool carrier is adjusted to correspond to the undisturbed space it is desired to leave be tween the strokes.

My improved blocking machine is highly efficient and moves the soil in a manner which does not seriously disturb the plants left inthe rows. The tool is preferably formed with side flanges 44: which out along the edge of the tool rather than tearing the soil, which might disturb the plants, particularly where the soil is'crusted. V

The machine is preferably provided with cross bars l5 uponwhich cultivator units may be mounted. However, asthese features form no part of my present invention I have not illustrated or described the same herein.

I have illustrated and described my improvements in an embodiment whichI deem very practical- I have not attempted to illustrate or describe various adaptations or modifications as I believe the disclosure will enable those skilled in the a1"t"toembody or ad'aptthe same as may-be desired.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: j 1. In a machine of'the class described, the combination of a running gear frame, a subframe mounted on said running gear frame for vertical adjustment, means for adjusting said frame, a tool carrier having an upwardly projecting arm at its outer end, a crank onwhich the inner end of said tool carrier is 'mounted' carried by said subframe, a link pivoted on said frame and pivotal y connected to said arm on uaid tool carrier for supporting the outer end of the carrier for oscillating movement in an upwardly curving arc, a toolmounted on said carrier below said crank, a train of gears mounted on said sub-frame and operatively associated with said crank, a driving shaft mounted on said running gear frame and having a universal joint connection with said train of gears, a driving clutchfor said driv combination of a running gear frame, a sub-- frame mounted on saidrunning gear frame for vertical ad ustment, means for ad usting said frame, a tool carrier, a crank on which the inner end of said tool carrier is mounted carried by said frame, means for oscillatingly supporting the outer end of said car-, rier [whereby it is caused to move in an upwardly curving. are, a tool mounted on said carrier below said crank, a. train of gears mounted on said sub-frame and operatively associated with said crank, adriving shaft mounted on said running gear fraineand having a. universal joint connection with said train of gears, a driving clutch for said driving shaft, and a brake operatively associated withsaid driving shaft between the clutch and crank. 1 V r r 3. Ina structure of the class described, the combination ofa running gear frame, a sub-frame adjustably mounted on said run' ning gear frame, means for adjusting said frame and supporting it in itsadjusted positions, a. tool carrier, a supportingcrank for the inner end of said carrier, an oscillating supporting link for the outer end of said carrier, a tool mounted on said carrier, a driving shaft mounted on said runninggear imparted to one end of said carrier and a.

horizontally disposed link connection at the opposite end whereby an oscillating movement in anupwardly curving arc of a. circle is imparted to the other end. I

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a supporting frame, a horizontally disposed tool carrier having a hoelike cutter toolmounted toward one end, means for supporting and driving-said tool carrier comprising a revolving crank with connection near the tool,'and means for sup porting theoppo-site end of'saidtool carrier to permitits oscillation in an upward direction to control the movement of the tool in a horizontal and" upward cutting movement, as specified. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

STEPHEN BONNER. 

